Dodger built, dodger, bimini and sepera - looking good - 2010

My 2110 - At Marina Cortez Harbor Island, San Diego, CA
 Went to the boat last night after a trip to Downwind Marine for some sponge brushes and jack line .

Safety

Debbie and I have a “deal” where we wear life vests if we leave San Diego harbor,. We also have jack lines out. I will swap my life vest for a harness if it gets too worm. I know San Diego is not known for it’s weather but it happens.


We went on a race to Mission bay one time and we did not have the “deal” going at that time. The wind and seas kicked up in a matter of minutes about buoy five I think. We were on our Catalina 30 and could not get up on deck to reef the main. The wind was up into the 25 knot range and steep seas 4-6 foot. We furled the jib. Sailed for about 3 hours (bounced around) and made little progress north. Made some headway out to sea. Then the wind slacked off and we deployed the jib. By the time we got to Mission bay we had to motor in for lack of wind.


We decided that we wanted to be in control of our own safety. If I go below I would like to find my wife on board when I come back up on deck. I am also turning 64 and how long can I dog paddle?


My wife and I crewed on a schooner last year, I think it was. We went out the harbor in kinda of race with the replica of the California (another schooner), you know two boats it’s a race. It was quite beautiful. Anyway my wife put on her life vest and there were lot of murmurs seeming how silly it was. She did not want to depend on anyone else for her safety. I concur. By the way I watched the captain\owner get knocked in the head with the boom, ok there were maybe three booms but still. I could see he was irritated by it.


I see many sailors out single handed in the summer sailing (outside the harbor) with nothing but shorts on. Looks appealing. No jack lines no life vest just a good summer sail. Maybe if I was 25 years old or should I say most definitely as I was too cool to be safe. Any way at first I was not that pleased with the “deal” but now in the last few years find it most comforting. If there are a few good sailors on board (Debbie is a good sailor but numbers count) and they are strong and healthy, sober and it is daylight I will probably not wear a life vest.

Got Battery Tender hooked up to the starting battery - 2010

May 2010- San Diego, CA

Go the new Battery tender battery trickle charger hooked up to the new Lifeline starting battery. Seems fine.

We had to modify one terminal end for a 3/8 post. Otherwise it was not a problem.

We still need to identify the positive cables on the selector switch and attach the new cables. The ground to the engine and battery and the positive to the switch and the battery. May need to re-arrange some on the switch or remove some.

We also will either add a fuse or breaker to the starting battery someplace.

Harken Traveler - Put end blocks on the Harke 6.1 traveler

 Debbie is screw on the car. She sure is a cutie working up there!

Got our new dodger top on

5\25\2010 San Diego, CA
We got our new dodger top on. The windows are not made yet. It will be like it is though. In that you can remove all the windows and it will be just a bimini. With the center piece installed (not made yet) it will be one big bimini. That will give us that option when we go south. The solar panel is not on at this time. We removed it so the dodger could be built easier.

New mast boot cover that Debbie made - 2010

 Debbie sewed up a new boot for the bottom of the mast. The old one was coming apart. The stitching was falling out and the Velcro was shot. It also was quite dirty, the kind that will not come out. Man she did this FAST .

Brass hardware for door cleaned and coated with polyurethane - 2010

We have been coating the hardware from the items we varnish with polyurethane. A couple few coats seems to work. 

New furling line\blocks

We replaced our furling line and replaced the blocks and added a cleat and line guide. The old furling blocks rested on the deck and were under foot. Now we can tie of the furling line at the gate and do not trip over it. The blocks we bought for our Catalina 30 and we kept them when we sold the boat.
We have a Harken furling system and it works great.

Good pic of model number



Bow Anchor pins tethers

We added some tethers to the pins that hold the anchors in place. The pins keep the anchor from rolling forward. The tethers keep the pins from falling in the drink when you pull them out to launch one of the anchors.

Harken Traveler - Installing the Harken traveler track - 2010

OK we got the traveler track on.
 We first had to go back under the traveler to get the left over washers and silicone that was reaming there from the old screws. Not all the washers would come out. When we drilled the new holes (pilot holes) we then put a small screw driver in the hole and knocked out the old washer.
 We did the filling with two part epoxy and let sit for 24 hours. Then we did the drilling.

Anchor wash down Sea-Lect Y-Valve added - 2010

 We added a Sea-Lect Y-Valve from Downwind Marine to the wash down anchor system.

New toilet paper holder

We have installed a new toilet paper holder replacing the old one. The new one can be covered with a swivel cover so it will stay dry. It automatically turns the roll as you open the cover to unravel a sheet or two of paper so you have something to pull on. It is quite nice as it keeps the paper clean and dry at all times. It is easy to refill and takes all kinds of paper.
This is not straight forward. The new one is larger so you need to modify the opening. You will also need to trim a little away from the support behind the bulkhead. To trim that away I think I used a drummel.

DryRoll Toilet Paper Holder by OCEANAIR MARINE

Watertight cover and casing
Ideal for combination shower/heads
Hygienic and easy to clean exterior
Can be surface mounted or recessed
Automatic paper rewind ensures paper remains dry
Enclosed body prevents paper unwinding when sailing
Off-white supplied as standard but custom finishes also available
Easy to install with all necessary fittings and instructions provided

Solid ABS plastic molding combines style and practicality
Rubber seal wipes clear external moisture when opening
Waterproof and chemical resistant construction




The Solar Panel(s) project

We installed a 135 watt solar panel on top of the dodger.
We first cut some pvc pipe to use as a placement for the solar panel. Once we figured the location on the dodger we cut the SS pipe to fit. We used bungee cords to hold the pvc in place, worked good. It was important for the panel to look good on the dodger as well as get the biggest one we could. I think we accomplished our goal. We may paint the frame white after the dodger is built if we think it will blend in and look better. This is the latest panel technology at this time.
All the parts to attach the solar panel we got from Downwind Marine in San Diego.
The panel we got off the web.


We will be installing two more on top of the bimini and a smaller one. The smaller one is because we now have a window in the bimini. We have yet to hook up the solar panel to the controller.
Kyocera 135 watt Solar Panel
Blue Sky Solar Boost 3024DiL
With the controller we can divert part of the power to the water heater to make hot water or some other device.















Winches for sheets

After looking at our winches in the lazerett I saw that the nuts looked new compared to the other fasteners in the lazeratt.
The PO put on new over sized winches. They are Bariant #28.


Work like a charm. He was 89 when he sold the boat so I imagine he was needing some help for bring in the jib sheets. I am glad because I am not getting any younger at 63.




New Found Metals Portholes - I Naped with the new blinds - 2010

We took a nap with the new Peek-a-Boo Blinds dark blinds installed in the stateroom. It was the first time with them installed. Very nice for napping.
The flash makes the bed bright but is actually quite cozy and a lot darker than the rest of the boat.

Shower SHURflo + Kohler fixtures installed, anchor washdown plumbed - 2010

May 2010 - At Marina Cortez Harbor Island, San Diego, CA
We finished off the shower.

Harken Traveler - New traveler track

2010 - Marina Cortez San Diego, CA 
Debbie and I took Wednesday off from work and took care of some boat business.
First off Debbie got the new traveler track from Sailing Supply. She has been working with Dave there on this project and he has been quite helpful. We then went to a couple other chandler’s to pick up other parts. While at Downwind Marine (had donuts- they were good) I ordered a selector valve. The kind you can put into the wall. The valve sticks out but the rest is behind the wall (bulkhead). Also got some epoxy for filling and drilling.